Just in time for hearty holiday dining, the Valley welcomes its fourth churrascaria with the debut of Galeto Brazillian Steakhouse in Chandler.

Opening Friday, Dec. 7, the restaurant took over the space that previously housed Nabers south of Ray Road near Interstate 10.

Owned by Brazil native Eli Nascimento, the steakhouse serves an all-you-can-eat selection of rotisserie meats (hence the name Galeto), sliced tableside. The fixed price, about $40 per person, includes typical Brazilian appetizers and a robust gourmet bar with hot and cold dishes and salads.

What's a churrascaria?

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A churrascaria is a Brazilian barbecue, though that doesn't quite do it justice.

Open for dinner Monday through Saturday, Galeto aims to bring a traditional Brazilian dining experience to Chandler. Called a churrascaria, the restaurant serves churrasco, or Brazilian-style barbecue that originated in the country during the early 1800s.

According to the restaurant, resident "gauchos" prepare 14 types of meat, including beef, lamb, pork, chicken and sausage. The meats are then brought into the dining room and carved tableside. Diners are welcome to enjoy as much of each meat as they want.

More than meat

While meats are the star of the show, Galeto also provides appetizers and an array of hot and cold dishes, including seafood options, cheeses, salads and Brazilian feijoada (black bean stew). These are available on the gourmet bar and are also all-you-can-eat.

Appetizers include pão de queijo, an addictive cheese bread made with yucca flour and shredded Parmesan cheese that is a staple in Brazil. For dessert, diners can help themselves to specialties such as pudim, a flan topped with caramel.

Galeto also serves a full bar and non-alcoholic drinks, including selections from South America. Highlights include caipirinha, the national cocktail of Brazil, made with cachaça, sugar and lime.

Guaraná, a popular Brazilian soft drink made with the Amazonian fruit of the same name, also is available.

Brazilian BBQ in Phoenix

Galeto got its start in Oakland, California, where Nascimento first looked to bring his country's decadent dining experience to American diners. In addition to the new location in Chandler, a third Galeto is opening soon in Georgia.

The restaurant is not the first Brazilian steakhouse n Phoenix. Valley diners have three other options: